Prince Harry slammed ‘cynical stunt’ to bring William and Kate on stage
The King and Queen were visibly moved at the 80th anniversary event, which honored the ‘forgotten army’ that fought in the Pacific during World War II. However, Harry’s actions drew a swift backlash from royal commentators, who accused him of exploiting the moment for attention.
A royal insider claimed: “Harry’s move was no coincidence. When he arrived after the king had left, it seemed respectful on the surface – but the timing, the note and the perfectly staged photos made it clear it was a PR play. People in the palace were furious. It was meant to be the king’s moment of remembrance, but Harry still managed to turn the spotlight back on himself.”
In his message, addressed to the ‘Forgotten Army’, Harry wrote: ‘For me, this anniversary has an extra meaning. My late grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served in the Pacific campaign. He spoke of those years with quiet humility, but I know how deeply he respected everyone who stood with him in that battleground.”
He added: “Your story is part of our shared heritage and should never be forgotten. With the deepest respect, thank you.” Although the note was sincere, royal experts questioned its timing. One source said the move “seemed way too polished to be real.”
The insider noted: “If this wasn’t a PR stunt, Harry could have quietly put the note down and walked away. But the fact that it was captured and shared so gracefully tells you everything you need to know.”
A palace source said the act “caught everyone off guard.” They explained: “No one had Harry on the schedule. The event had been planned for months, with the King and Camilla front and center. For Harry to appear afterwards, conveniently with cameras waiting, felt very deliberate and carefully orchestrated.”
Adding to the tension was the absence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who were advised by doctors to continue keeping Kate Middleton’s schedule light as she recovers from cancer.
An insider claimed: “Everyone knows Kate is still taking it easy and prioritizing her recovery and her family. William fully supports her in that. But some people saw Harry’s gesture as a way of getting into the spotlight – a reminder that he still wants to be noticed.”
Another source added that the late Duke of Edinburgh would not have approved of the gesture, saying: “Philip was a military man. He never made anything about himself. He would have thought Harry’s letter was self-indulgent.”
A former royal aide also weighed in, calling the episode “very frustrating” for the king, especially as Harry continues his campaign to force his way back into the folds of the royal family.
“Charles intended this day to honor the veterans and the memory of the country,” the aide said. “But it became another story about family tensions. It was exactly the kind of distraction he doesn’t need.”
